The dermis of sea cucumbers is a catch connective tissue or mutable collagenous tissue that shows large changes in stiffness. Extensive studies on the dermis revealed that it can adopt three different states having different mechanical properties that can be reversibly converted. These are the stiff, standard and soft states. The standard state is readily produced when a dermal piece is immerse...

Coastal waters of Pakistan have considerable biodiversity of sea cucumbers and to date 11 genera and fifteen species of sea cucumbers belonging to 3 families have been recorded. In the present study the biochemical composition and nutritional quality of two most common sea cucumbers (Holothuria arenicola and Actinopyga mauritiana) were determined. The study includes their proximate, amino acid,...

Sea cucumbers are found in various sea environments like sea floors from the deep sea to intertidal areas (Foster and Hodgson, 1995; Uthicje et al., 2009). Sea cucumbers belong to the phylum Echinodermata and they mainly feed on detritus containing organic matter, microalgae, and bacteria (Massin, 1982; Moriarty, 1982; Yingst, 1976). Gut microorganisms are important for digestion of diets, but ...

In order to search for sulfated polysaccharides in different invertebrate connective tissues and to examine their biological activities, we have isolated three types of polysaccharides from the body wall of the three sea cucumbers Holothuria edulis, Apostichopus japonicas and Holothuria nobilis. The physicochemical properties and anticoagulant activities of these polysaccharides were examined a...

Climate change can have a significant impact on the Earth’s ecosystems. Invasive species will respond to climate change, and their responses ecological economic implications. Habitat suitability models (HSMs) are some of most important tools currently available for assessing potential impacts species. The projections model suitable conditions three invasive fish in Europe, Lepomis gibbosus, Per...

Henricohahnia parva sp. nov. is described and illustrated based on the specimens collected from Yunnan Province of China. It represents the smallest-sized species of the genus Henricohahnia Breddin so far known. A key to the eight Chinese species of the genus is provided.